2010 Mercedes-Benz S63/S65 AMG Updated Details

With Mercedes-Benz deciding to refresh its flagship S-Class sedan for 2010, that means the S63 and S65 AMG are also due for an update. The German automaker has just officially unveiled photos and details.

The same engines as in the previous models are under the hood, with a 6.2-liter V8 that lays down 518 horsepower and 456 pound-feet for the S63 and a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 that makes 612 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque for the S65. The S65 is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, while the S63 has a seven-speed sport transmission.

The S63 sprints to 60 mph in less than 4.6 seconds, and its V12 sibling gets up there a bit faster — under 4.4 seconds. Speed is electronically limited to just over 155 mph.



A new arrow-shaped radiator grille adorns the front, and LED daytime running lights have been mounted in the lower-grille air inlets. In back is a body-colored diffuser (current models have a black one), taillights consisting of 52 LEDs and a set of redesigned chrome exhaust pipes. The S63 gets 19-inch multispoke alloys and the S65 gets 20-inch rollers, both colored titanium gray.



The interior is dressed in lots of leather and features an AMG analog clock and aluminum shift paddles. Standard technology includes the Attention Assist drowsiness detection system, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and PreSafe brakes.

+ 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 Drive Test
+ 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift Luxury Sedan Revealed
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+ BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S Class: Similarities and Differences
+ 2009 Mercedes CL550 Coupe Width Sedan Luxury
+ 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Review
+ 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

The S63 AMG starts at the equivalent of $192,900 for the short-wheelbase model and $212,900 for the long-wheelbase variant. Pricing on the S65 begins at $309,930. American pricing has yet to be announced.
Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63/S65 AMG

U.S. Top 10 Worst Selling Cars

The Dodge Caliber hatchback has plenty of room to pack your stuff for a quick getaway, but these days it is going nowhere fast. American car dealers are taking an average of 223 days to clear the Caliber off their lots. That's more than seven months -- a longer sales period than any other major-selling car on the market today.

The Caliber is joined by a host of other American-made vehicles at the top of a list of cars American drivers have little intrest in buying, including: the Dodge Avenger, Pontiac G6 and the Chevrolet Cobalt. In fact, 12 of the 15 slowest selling cars on a list prepared by Edmunds for ABC News are American made. On the foreign side only the Kia Optima, and Spectra and the Hyundai Sonata were the on models on the list of automotive dogs.

Jessica Caldwell, an industry analyst at Edmunds.com, said that part of the problem is a lack of customer demand and part is an overproduction by American automakers.

"It's really a reflection of a misstep of the American automakers," Caldwell said.

General Motors and Chrysler dominated the list. Ford only had one vehicle on it: the venerable Mustang.

Edmunds looked at cars sold by dealerships in May and how long they had been on the lots. Only models with 2,000 or more sales were included in the list to filter out lesser-known and obscure models. A healthy day supply number is about 60 days.

Pontiac's G6, Dodge's Charger, Jeep's Patriot, Chevrolet's Cobalt and Colorado and Ford's Mustang rounded up the top 10 worst performing models in May -- all with day supplies higher than 145 days.

Models that are doing relatively well in the market are those with a good fuel economy, quality reputations and reasonable prices, said Joe Phillippi, of AutoTrends Consulting.

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+ 2010 Camaro SS vs 2010 Mustang GT vs 2009 Challenger R/T

Dodge Caliber- $16,460 to $24,840, mpg 24/30

Chrysler's Dodge Caliber is particularly inept seller at 223 days. The car features a lot of cargo room, but Edmunds.com called the car "one of the least appealing small hatchbacks or wagons on the market" pointing to the Caliber's meager 172 horsepower engine that delivers "sluggish acceleration" and they noted the "unimpressive build quality." Despite its reasonable price, Car and Driver magazine says the Caliber's "vague steering" and "heavy ride" may make the vehicle seem more like a truck than a compact vehicle.

The Dodge Avenger is far from the meanest selling car on the lot. Its 211 day supply is surpassed only by its relative, the Dodge Caliber. Because of the car's "polarizing styling, budget interior materials and tepid driving dynamics," Edmunds.com says it's no surprise when consumers pass over the Avenger for a different midsized all-wheel drive model.

Pontiac G6- $19,275 - $32,300, mpg 22 / 33

Pontiac G6's 211 day supply is indicative of the gloomy fate for the soon-to-be terminated Pontiac brand. The G6 is available in three body styles as a coupe, a convertible or a sedan, but Edmunds.com says all three are "far from being class leaders." TheCarConnection.com gives the line a 6.8 out of 10 rating, highlighting the vehicle's "iffy safety" and cheap-looking interior materials.

The Kia Optima is the slowest selling car from a foreign automaker on the list with a 166 day supply. Autoguide.com said the model has a nice exterior re-design but said the Optima "rides far too loosely on its suspension" and use "less-than-pleasing material" for its seating.

Dodge Charger- $24,835 - $38,970, mpg 18/26

Despite its aggresive name, the Dodge Charger takes 163 days to creep off the lot. The reincarnated muscle car offers V8 performance and has a good amount of space for families on-the-go. But for drivers looking for a large sedan, Edmunds.com writes that competitors like the Ford Taurus and Honda Accord are "more practical choices."

Jeep Patriot- $17,540 - $23,980, mpg 23/28

The Jeep Patriot, another Chrysler brand, fails to get much of a salute from reviewers. This SUV-like model has good fuel economy and durable off-road features and a 163 day supply. But unless you're expecting to go trail-blazing through the Kalahari, Edmunds.com says that with its cheap interior design and lackluster engine power, the Patriot "should be near the bottom of your list."

The Kia Optima is the slowest selling car from a foreign automaker on the list with a 166 day supply. Autoguide.com said the model has a nice exterior re-design but said the Optima "rides far too loosely on its suspension" and use "less-than-pleasing material" for its seating.

Dodge Charger- $24,835 - $38,970, mpg 18/26

Despite its aggresive name, the Dodge Charger takes 163 days to creep off the lot. The reincarnated muscle car offers V8 performance and has a good amount of space for families on-the-go. But for drivers looking for a large sedan, Edmunds.com writes that competitors like the Ford Taurus and Honda Accord are "more practical choices."

Jeep Patriot- $17,540 - $23,980, mpg 23/28

The Jeep Patriot, another Chrysler brand, fails to get much of a salute from reviewers. This SUV-like model has good fuel economy and durable off-road features and a 163 day supply. But unless you're expecting to go trail-blazing through the Kalahari, Edmunds.com says that with its cheap interior design and lackluster engine power, the Patriot "should be near the bottom of your list."

$1 Billion 'Cash for Clunkers' Can do What?

The government soon may be handing out vouchers for new cars. Cash giveaways have spurred trade-ins in Europe. Will they help in the U.S.?

The government really wants to get the U.S. automobile industry into gear. It has already stepped in to bail out carmakers with money, loans, and special bankruptcy treatment. Now it seems ready to dole out $1 billion to consumers in the form of vouchers to buy newer, more-efficient vehicles under the Cash for Clunkers program.

Proponents say it will modernize the U.S. vehicle fleet, getting rid of older cars that pollute more, are less safe, and burn more gas. More important to many, the money could save jobs in the auto sector, from parts suppliers to dealers, by lifting new car sales by at least 250,000 this year. One sign of the measure's popularity: The Senate passed it on a 91-5 vote.

President Barack Obama had repeatedly urged Congress to pass the bill and is expected to sign it by July 1, its proposed effective date.
Clunker qualifications

Still, there are critics. Some say the eligibility requirements are too stringent for the program to have much effect. Others say the government has already spent too much to help the car industry. There are also questions about whether the folks driving those clunkers can afford brand-new wheels. "It is just too big of a price tag for the minimal results it would produce," said Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, the only Democrat to vote against the act.

Here are the basics:

• Vouchers of either $3,500 or $4,500 will be given to people who trade in an older vehicle to buy a new one.

• The trade-in, or clunker, must be no older than 25 years, have average gas mileage of less than 18 miles per gallon, and have been owned by the seller for at least a year.

• The new car must cost less than $45,000 and get more than 22 mpg. To get the higher voucher, the new vehicle must also average 10 more miles per gallon than the old one.

• Trucks—SUVs, pickups, and minivans—have different rules. An improvement of at least 2 mpg between the old and new vehicles qualifies for $3,500; 5 mpg or more entitles buyers to $4,500.

• There are no income limits on voucher recipients, nor restrictions on where the new cars are made.

+ "Cash for Clunkers" Law Signed by Obama
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+ Cash For Clunkers Car Buying Stimulus Bill
+ BMW Used Cars Eligible for 'Cash For Clunkers'
+ Cash for Clunkers: Eligible Used Cars List Under $3,500

Germany instituted a scrappage program earlier this year, followed by France and Britain. While car sales are down significantly from prerecession 2007 totals, sales in those countries have risen since the subsidies began. There's little question that Detroit could use a similar boost. Americans are on track to buy 9.5 million new vehicles this year, down 40% from 16.1 million in 2007.

Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl says, however, that carmakers and buyers alike will be disappointed. He argues that the industry needs help raising sales by 3 million vehicles or more, not 250,000 to 400,000. "The scale is just wrong," he says.

Anwyl urges consumers to read the fine print. The program is not a rebate or a tax credit, though, based on public comments at Edmunds.com, he says many people think so. "Don't get too excited," Anwyl says. "Chances are you're not eligible."

"Cash for Clunkers" Law Signed by Obama

A $1 billion "cash for clunkers " bill was signed into law by President Obama late Wednesday, but the specifics of the plan are still being worked out, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The law is designed to get consumers into more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Under the law, consumers can get up to $4,500 toward a new more fuel-efficient car when they trade in an older model with worse gas mileage, under the new system.

The formal name of the program is the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). "Under the CARS program, NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] is charged with rules for program implementation in 30 days," according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Web site. "You may want to contact your local dealer in mid-July."

Consumers can sign up for updates as the program rolls out to car buyers and dealers. The program ends on November 1, 2009. It is designed to stimulate the auto industry and act as an environmental aid, since it is intended to encourage consumers who own an older gas guzzler to purchase or lease a new, fuel-efficient vehicle.

The National Automobile Dealers Association is telling its dealers to wait until the rules are out in July before participating.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the trade-in vehicle must meet these requirements to qualify for the program:

• The vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date.
• Only the purchase or lease of a new vehicle qualifies.
• Trade-in vehicles must get 18 miles per gallon or less, although the law notes "some very large pickup trucks and cargo vans have different requirements."
• Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in.
• "You don't need a voucher; dealers will apply a credit at purchase."

+ Cash for Clunkers Rebate Eligible Vehicles List by Edmunds
+ Cash For Clunkers Car Buying Stimulus Bill
+ BMW Used Cars Eligible for 'Cash For Clunkers'
+ Cash for Clunkers: Eligible Used Cars List Under $3,500

The cash-for-clunkers provision was passed as part of a larger $106 billion military spending bill.

2010 Buick LaCrosse Offers Four-Cylinder

From its striking design to its pulsating TV spots, the LaCrosse marks a decidedly different direction for Buick.

And that’s just on the surface. The change gets even starker under the hood, where for the first time in a decade, the brand will offer a four-cylinder engine, as General Motors works to meet stiffer fuel-mileage standards expected for 2016. Buick also will offer all-wheel drive in the LaCrosse, the first time it’s ever put that technology in a sedan.

The redesign for 2010 brings a lot of change for a brand that has become fairly stodgy in the marketplace. But that’s the idea, says Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC in North America.

“We’re working hard to change the perception of the brand and to let people know Buick may not be what they think it is,” she said in a Web chat with journalists Monday.

The LaCrosse will begin arriving at dealerships at the end of this month, and V6 models will start at $27,835, including shipping charges. The V6s are versions of the same engines that appear in a range of GM vehicles, including the Cadillac CTS and SRX and the Chevrolet Camaro. Using variable valve timing and direct injection, the 3.6-liter unit makes 280 hp, while the 3.0-liter is rated at 255 hp for front-wheel-drive versions.

The four-banger is thought to be the first in a Buick since the 1998 Skylark. It’s from GM’s Ecotec family and makes 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. It’s an inline setup and employs direct injection; look for it to get an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The LaCrosse is a global blend of GM engineering and design resources. The interior, which features ice blue ambient lighting, Bluetooth connectivity and in-dash navigation, is a collaboration between American and Chinese designers. The platform was borrowed from the Opel Insignia, produced by GM’s European arm.

The chief competitor will be the Acura TL, while the Lincoln MKZ, the Lexus ES350, the Chrysler 300, the Toyota Avalon and the Ford Taurus also are expected to draw comparisons, officials said.

GM brass say they hope that the LaCrosse can continue the ongoing facelift for Buick and point to the path set by the Enclave. The median age of buyers of the handsome crossover is 12 years younger than the brand’s typical demographic, and Buick is planning a social-media component of its advertising to try to reach untraditional buyers in their 20s.

+ Auto China 2008: Buick Invicta Concept Debut
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+ 2010 Ford Taurus SHO Road Test

“Today, many people perceive Buick as a great brand with good quality and a high level of craftsmanship,” Docherty said. “However, they see it as a brand that’s ‘not for me.’ What started with the Enclave in terms of changing perceptions needs to continue with the LaCrosse.”

Meanwhile, Buick officials remain mum on how the brand might be fleshed out, noting that the Regal that has shown up in some advertisements is a concept (though it’s on sale in China) and saying it is unlikely that the Pontiac G8 would be rebadged.

Gallery: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 30th Anniversary Edition Enhance Interior

To coincide with its 30th birthday, the legendary Mercedes-Benz G-Class benefits from new additional features that primarily enhance comfort and exclusivity in the interior.

Mercedes-Benz is once again going its separate way with the G-Class. Instead of modernising the visual appeal of the striking design icon and relaunching it with a new design, those in charge have left its indestructible, hallmark traits untouched since 1979.

At the same time, the consistent effort which Mercedes-Benz has put into the evolution of the “G” has helped safeguard its leading position.

In the most recent case, the “G” specialists have focused their attention on the interior and developed new seats. The ergonomically optimised front seats improve both comfort and lateral support, helping further bolster driver-fitness safety.

The new design has also modernised the rear seat bench, with modifications that echo the styling of the driver’s and front passenger’s seat. “G” customers can choose between black or grey fabric upholstery and leather appointments either in black, grey or chestnut.

Further added comfort comes courtesy of the new optional climatised multicontour seats. The line-up now also includes the exquisite designo leather upholstery in classic red or black as well as designo wood trim in black piano lacquer. Another highlight that will be available in early 2010 comes in the shape of the designo stone trim in Labrador blue pearl.

The standard specification now includes an Aux-in socket in the glove compartment and the familiar designer ignition key. As an option, indirect ambient interior lighting, a leather-trimmed dashboard, an extensive Chrome package as well as a media interface to connect an iPod, USBor Aux devices add to the feel-good factor on board.

New paintwork options are also available: “palladium silver metallic” or the “designo platinum magno” matt finish, which show off the striking body design of the “G” to particularly good effect, supplement the line-up for 2009. At the rear, the new models make a distinctive statement with a modified spare wheel cover with a three-dimensional Mercedes star.

Current model range: three body variants, three engines

The model family currently includes three body variants (short Station Wagon, long Station Wagon and Cabriolet), which can be combined either as the G 350 CDI (replaces the previous G 320 CDI with a new nomenclature) with the frugal V6 diesel engine or as the G 500 with a powerful 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine.

The top-of-the-line G 55 AMG - available solely as a four-door long Station Wagon - offers muscular performance, which, together with the incomparable vocals, underpins the character of this decidedly sporty version.

The G-Guard based on the G 500 long Station Wagon remains an important component in the model range. The fully armoured G-Class certified to bullet resistance level FB6 or FB7 provides protection against pistols/revolvers and long-barrelled weapons as well as against explosive charges of a defined size.

+ 2010 Mercedes GLK 350 SUV Road Test
+ 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic Reviews

The evergreen Mercedes-Benz off-roader provides a superior synthesis of high-performance drive and dynamic handling control systems.

The standard specification includes the electronic traction system 4ETS, the Electronic Stability Program ESP® and three differential locks selectable at the push of a button, alongside the permanent all-wheel drive with off-road ratio.

On its 30th birthday: readers’ poll awards mount up

Readers of the “4Wheel Fun” off-road magazine named the “G” “2009 superstar” in its readers’ poll. The indefatigable off-roader came out on top in the same poll in 2007.

Following on from the success in 2003 and 2007, readers of “Motor Klassik” once again chose the Mercedes-Benz G-Class as “classic of the future” in 2009. For an incredible sixth time - after 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008 - readers of “Off Road” have bestowed the title “off-roader of the year 2009″ on this automotive icon.

The G-Class boasts a long tradition of awards and accolades, reflected in the packed trophy cabinet. Readers of specialist magazine “auto motor und sport” have voted the G-Class the world’s best off-roader no less than 14 times.

In 1983, the Australian automotive magazine “bushdriver” named the “G” the best 4×4 off-roader of the year, undoubtedly rekindling memories of the Paris-Dakar victory that very same year.

In 1993, readers of the French “Magazine 4×4″ voted the G 350 TURBODIESEL the off-roader of the year. And in 1995, the readers of the specialist water-sports magazine “Boote” came to the conclusion that the G-Class is the best towing vehicle.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 SUV